AN Albanian man who lived in Colchester has been told he faces deportation after he and his wife were convicted of drugs offences.

Bruno Banaj, 31, and Deliona Banaj, 23 appeared before a judge on Friday where they faced charges including possessing fake identity documents and possession of Class A drugs.

Mr Banaj, of Wiverton Road, London, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply, driving a motor vehicle without a licence, using of a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, and receiving stolen goods.

Mrs Banaj, of no fixed address, admitted possessing false identity documents with intent, and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Gazette: 'Failed' – a judge at Ipswich Crown Court said Mr Banaj's dream of 'being a useful citizen in the UK has materially failedbeing a useful citizen in the UK has materially failed''Failed' – a judge at Ipswich Crown Court said Mr Banaj's dream of 'being a useful citizen in the UK has materially failedbeing a useful citizen in the UK has materially failed' (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard how the couple were Albanian migrants who had turned to drug dealing to pay off debts they owed to an individual who helped them arrive in the UK.

The couple first lived in London and then moved to Colchester where the drug dealing took place.

The court heard how the pair were stopped by police in January after their Hyundai, which was a stolen car, activated an ANPR camera.

Police searched Mrs Banaj, who had 23 wraps of cocaine and fake identity documents which suggested she was a Slovenian woman called Brianna Teska.

When their address was searched, further bags of cocaine were found by police.

Mr Banaj, who appeared in the dock in a white t-shirt, had admitted in a police interview to selling cocaine and that all the items in the car belonged to him.

Judge Wilson said: “You said there had been threats to harm you and your family if you didn’t pay off your debt relating to your immigration into the country.

Gazette: Cocaine – Bruno Banaj had been involved in dealing Class A drugs to clear debts he owed to 'a named individual' who helped him come to the UKCocaine – Bruno Banaj had been involved in dealing Class A drugs to clear debts he owed to 'a named individual' who helped him come to the UK (Image: Newsquest)

“You had been provided with a vehicle and told to sell drugs to clear your debt.”

Sentencing Mr Banaj to two years and three months in prison, Judge Wilson told him: “Your dream of being a useful citizen in the UK has materially failed.

“Given [the sentence] is in excess of 12 months, it may be you are subject to immediate deportation given the sentence imposed today.”

Mrs Banaj, who appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough, was sentenced to eight months in jail.